UEFA Nations League Gameweek 3 Predictions: Italy to beat Belgium?

This week marks the start of the second international break of the season and UEFA Nations League gameweek three, which starts on Thursday, treats us to 26 matches across three days.

Italy to beat Belgium @ 10/11

Italy endured a disappointing defence of their European Championship title in the summer but they have bounced back in style in their return to action this season.

They beat France 3-1 away from home in their UEFA Nations League opener despite going behind early on, and they followed that with a 2-1 win over Israel in round two. They should have the beating of a Belgium side missing some key figures for this round of fixtures. Red Devils boss Domenico Tedesco has stated that the Nations League is the perfect opportunity to test players, and they are without Romelu Lukaku and skipper Kevin De Bruyne for this trip to Rome, the latter of whom requested to miss these games.

Belgium lost 2-0 to France in their last game and have lost their last three meetings with the Azzurri, so back a home win.

England -1.5 asian handicap against Greece @ 21/20

A loss in the final of Euro 2024 prompted Gareth Southgate to resign from his post as England manager, and the Lee Carsley era has started in perfect fashion with back-to-back 2-0 wins over Republic of Ireland and Finland.

The new-look Three Lions have featured a number of new call-ups, including Angel Gomes, Morgan Gibbs-White, Noni Madueke, and Carsley’s latest squad brings Dominic Solanke back into the fold after a seven-year absence.

England’s last meeting with Greece saw them win 4-0, and the defensive solidity they displayed during the last international break should help them to a comfortable win against a Greece side that have failed to score in three of their last seven away games.

Over 1.5 Netherlands goals against Hungary @ 13/20

Netherlands’ first two UEFA Nations League games totaled 11 goals and the free-scoring Dutch could have an enjoyable evening in Budapest this week.

Ronald Koeman’s side have scored twice or more in five of their last six games, netting 15 times in this period, and they face a Hungary side that was thrashed 5-0 away to Germany in their first match of the last international break.

Both teams to score in Poland vs Portugal @ 5/6

Portugal were the inaugural winners of the UEFA Nations League in 2019 and they began the 2024/25 campaign with successive 2-1 wins over Croatia and Scotland.

The Selecao have conceded in eight of their last 10 games and could find their defence breached again against a Poiland side that know how to get on the scoresheet.

This week’s hosts have scored in six of their last seven games, netting 11 times in this period but conceding in all seven matches.

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